Collapsible box



Nov. 5, 1940.

W. A. RINGLER COLLAPSIBLE BOX Filed NOV. 13, 1936 4 Patented Nov. 5,1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COLLAPSIBLE BOX Application November13, 1936, Serial No. 110,587

6 Claims.

This invention relates to collapsible boxes, and more particularly toboxes adapted to be shipped and stored in collapsed condition andthereafter to be manipulated into set-up position by the user as needed.

Collapsible boxes heretofore provided have required special equipmentand machinery to glue and assemble the same. They have also beendiificult and time-consuming to erect by the user,

requiring extensive interconnection and manipulation of various parts toerect the same. Many collapsible boxes heretofore provided have alsobeen weak at the corners and have presented side and end walls ofcumbersome appearance and inferior strength.

An object of this invention is to provide a strong and sturdy box of thecollapsible type which can be manufactured and assembled on automaticmachinery commonly used in the assembly of the usual four-sided boxesmanufactured at paper box manufacturing plants.

Another object of this invention is to provide a collapsible'box formedfrom a single blank of paperboard material, which can be shipped and 05stored in collapsed knockdown condition and thereafter quicklymanipulated into sturdy set-up condition by the user as needed.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved method ofassembling col- 30 lapsible boxes quickly and expeditiously and at lowcost.

Another object of this invention is to provide a box of the collapsibletype which can be made from a single blank of paperboard materialentirely by automatic machinery in common use, which is strong andsturdy in construction, which is less expensive to manufacture andassemble than collapsible boxes heretofore provided, which can be madein any variety of different designs 40 and patterns, and which is highlyadapted for the packing and display of merchandise of all kinds.

Various other features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following 45 particular description and from an inspection ofthe accompanying drawing.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic ofthis invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended50 hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, andthe manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood byreferring to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing 55 forming a part thereof, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a blank of paperboard which has been suitably cut, scoredand glued, ready for assembly into my improved collapsible box;

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of a plurality of assembled blanks arrangedin stacked relationship, in which condition they are shipped and stored;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the box in the process ofassembly and erection from its collapsed condition; 0

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the box as it appears at afurther stage of the assembly operation; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the box as it appears when fullyassembled.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout thespecification and the several views of the drawing.

According to this invention, my improved collapsible box is preferablyformed from a single blank of paperboard material which is cut andscored on an automatic cutting and scoring machine. The separate blanksare cut by the machine from large sheets of paperboard, the entireoperation being performed automatically. Each box-forming blankcomprises a bottom wall I, end walls 2 hingedly connected to the bottomwall I along the score lines 4, and side walls 3 hingedly connected tothe bottom wall i along the score lines 5.

As shown more particularly in Fig. 1, the side walls 3 and end walls 2are connected at the ends thereof by a corner portion, each cornerportion comprising a triangular shaped section 6 hinged to one end ofthe side wall 3 along the score line 9 and a triangular shaped section Ihinged to the adjacent end of the end wall 2 along the score line 8. Thetriangular sections 6 and l are in part separated and defined by thescore line portions H'Ja and 10b which extend substantially transverselyacross the corner portion. A finger portion 30 forming a part of thetriangular section I, is cut out from the triangular section 6 by theparallel extending cut lines 3| and 32 and the out line 33 joining thecut lines 31 and 32. Each triangular section I is also provided with atab extension II which extends outwardly along the side edges of theblank, each tab ll being defined from the triangular section 6 by theout line l3. The purpose of the finger portions 30 and the tabextensions II will become evident as the disclosure proceeds.

Each of the end walls 2 is provided with a flap 20 hinged thereto alongthe score line 2|. The flaps 20 are adapted to be folded inwardlyadjacent the inside face of the end walls 2 when the box is assembled.The end wall flaps 20 are preferably substantially the same width as theend walls 2. with which they are associated, so that when the end wallflaps 20 are turned inwardly, the ends thereof will abut against theinside face of the side walls 3 and thus serve as compression elementspreventinginward collapse of the side wall. Each end wall ,fiap 20 isprovided with a tuck-in portion 22 defined by the score line 25extending substantially parallel to the score line 2| and the transversecuts 24 which intersect and meet the score line 25. -The cut lines 24define an ear portion 23. at each end of each end wall flap 20. I

When the blank has been cut and scored, as shown in Fig. 1, whichoperation can be performed on an automatic cutting and scoring machine,the blanks are successively run through a strip gluer which is providedwith a glue-applying roll R, illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 1. Theglue-applying roll R contacts the outer portions of the tab extensions II at one side edge of the blank only, depositing a layer of glue g onthe outer ends thereof, as shown in Fig. 1. This operation can beperformed on an automatic strip gluer at a very rapid rate. These stripgluers are also provided with mechanism for folding the side walls 3 andthe corner portions comprising the triangular sections 5 and I inwardly.It will be evident by referring to Fig. 2 that the side walls 3 foldinwardly along the score line 5 so 'as to overlie the bottom wall I, andthe corner portions comprising the triangular sections 6 and 1 fold 5inwardly along the score lines 8 so as-to lie over the extended endwalls 2. The tab extensions II at the opposite sida of the blank are ofsuch length that they will assume an overlapped relationship, as shownin Fig. 2, when the corner 40 portions are folded inwardly. Theoverlapped tab extensions I I are then pressed into adhesive contact,the glue g applied to one pair of tab extensions firmly to secure thesame to the unglued tab extensions.

The side walls 3 and corner portions comprising the triangular sections6 and I may be folded inwardly and the tab extensions II may be pressedinto adhesive contact by well-known mechanism which forms a part of thestrip gluer, producing 50 the folded and assembled blanks, as shown inFig. 2. The blanks may be glued and assembled in the form shown in Fig.2 on an automatic strip gluer at the rate of 20,000 assembled blanks perhour or higher. The blanks as shown in Fig. 1

55 may be cut and scored from large rolls of paperboard by an automaticcutting and scoring machine at an even faster rate. Thus it is seen thatv my improved assembled blanks may be produced entirely by automaticmachinery at a very high 60 production rate and consequently at very lowcost. The box blanks may be cut from the paperboard roll in such amanner as to result in little or substantially no paperboard waste. Theassembled blanks are arranged in stacked relationship as 5 shown in Fig.2, in which condition they are shipped and stored occupying a minimumamoun of space.

The user erects the assembled blanks into box formation as needed andpreferably just prior to 70 the packaging of merchandise therein. Theassembled blank is erected into box formation by lifting the end walls 2upwardly substantially at right angles to the bottom wall I, whichoperation automatically raises the side walls 3 into erect 75 position,as illustrated in Fig. 3. This operation also raises the tab extensionsI l into substantially erect position and causes the triangular sections6 to fold over and overlie the triangular sections 1 with which they arerespectively associated. The finger portions 30 will then projectinwardly 5 and lie adjacent the inside face of the adjacent end wall 2.I

In the'second assemblyoperation the end wall flaps 20 are turnedinwardly, so as to overlie the inside face of the tab extensions II,concealing 10 the same from view, as illustrated in Fig. 4.

The third and final assembly operation consists in the insertion of thetuck-in portion 22 associated with each end wall flap 20 between thefinger portions 30 and the adjacent end wall 2, as illusl5 trated inFig. 4, the tuck-in portion 22 being pushed downwardly so as to liesubstantially fiat against the inside face of the tab extensions II andthe inside face of the adjacent end wall 2, as shown in Fig. 5. The earportions 23 will then 20 overlie the inside face of the adjacent fingerportions 30, serving to stiffen and reenforce the box corners andprevent the finger portions 30 from being bent inwardly so as to releasethe tuck-in portion 22 associated therewith. As thus assemg5 bled itwill be noted that the end edges of each inturned end wall flap 20 abutsthe inside face of the side walls 3, serving as a compression elementwhich prevents inward collapse of the box. The connected tab extensionsII associated with 30 the triangular sections 1 respectively serve astension elements which prevent outward collapse or expansion of the sidewalls 3 when merchandise is packed in the box. A box having unusuallystrong corners and possessing great sturdiness and strength throughoutis thus provided.

For the sake of convenience in describing the box, the vertical walls 2provided with inturned flaps 20 and associated tuck-in portions 22, havebeen referred to as end walls, while the vertical walls 3 braced by theinturned flaps 20 have been referred to as side walls. It is understood.however, that the designations side walls and end walls are used hereinto simplify description only, it being understood that all are verticalenclosing walls and might be interchangeably described as side walls,end walls, or enclosing walls. The side walls designated 3 may also beprovided, if desired, with inturned flaps so as to present side walls ofsubstantially the same thickness and strength as the end walls of thebox. It will be noted that by extending the tuck-in portion 22 and theear portions 23 of each inturned fiap 20 to the bottom wall I of thebox, end walls of double-ply thickness throughout may be provided.

My improved collapsible box can be manufactured and assembledsubstantially entirely on automatic machinery in common use at a rapidrate of production. No special equipment to make my improved box isrequired. The box can'be made at a higher rate of production and morecheaply and economically than collapsible boxes heretofore produced. Theassembled blanks may be shipped and stored in substantially fiatcollapsed or knockdown condition, permitting of substantial economies inshipping and storage costs. The assembled blanks may be erected into boxformation by the user as need by three simple manipulations by theoperator, comprising erecting the end walls 2 into vertical position,folding the end wall fiaps 20 inwardly, and finally tucking in thetuck-in portions 22 behind the inwardly projecting finger portions 30.with a few minutes practice an operator can become sufiiciently skilledto erect the boxes from the collapsed assembled blanks at the rate ofseveral hundred an hour. A convenient and economical merchandise boxwhich is unusually strong and sturdy when erected is thus provided.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed andare pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood thatvarious omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the'invention.

What I claim is:

1. A box adapted to be shipped and stored in collapsed knockdowncondition and set up by the user including, a bottom wall, an inwardlycollapsible side wall hinged to said bottom wall, 7

and an outwardly collapsible end wall hinged to said bottom wall, acorner portion hinged to the adjacent ends of each of said side and endwalls,

a flap extending from said end wall, a finger por;

tion adapted to lie against the inside face of said end wall cut outfrom said corner portion, said flap having an ear portion associatedtherewith adapted to be inserted under and engage said finger portionto. maintain said side wall and said end wall in rigid erectcontainer-forming position.

2. A collapsible box adapted to be shipped and stored in collapsedknockdown condition and set up by the user including, a bottom wall, aninwardly collapsible side wall and an outwardly collapsible end wallhinged to said bottom wall, a corner portion hinged to the adjacent endsof said side and end walls, a transversely extending box-collapsingscore line intersecting said corner portion, a finger portion adapted tolie against the inside face of said end wall cut out from said cornerportion, a flap extending from said end wall adapted to be turnedinwardly, and an ear portion associated with said flap adapted to beinserted under and interlockably engage said finger portion associatedwith said corner portion to retain said side and end walls in rigiderect container-forming position.

3. A collapsible box formed from a single :blank of paperboard materialincluding, a bottom wall, a pair of side walls and a pair oi! end wallshinged to said bottom wall, corner portions hinged to the adjacent endsof said side and end walls, a score line extending diagonally acrosssaid comer portions dividing each of said portions into bellows foldsections with one section hinged to the side wall and the other sectionhinged to and overlying the adjacent end wall,

means for connecting those sections which are hinged to the adjacent endwall, an inwardly turned flap extending from each of said end walls, afinger portion cut out from the sections of the corner portions whichare hinged to the side walls, and an ear portion associated with each ofsaid end wall flaps adapted to be inserted under and engage said fingersto retain the box in assembled set-up position.

4. A blank or paperboard material adapted to form a collapsible boxincluding, abottom wall panel, opposite side wall panels and oppositeend wall panels hinged to said bottom wall panel, corner portionsconnecting the adjacent ends of said side and end wall panels, a scoreline extending diagonally across each of said corner portions dividingsaid corner portions into hinged sections, tabs extending from thosesections of the corner portions which are hinged to the end wall panelswith the tabs connected to the same end wall panel extending in oppositedirections and beyond the line forming the top edge of the adjacent sidewall panel, adhesive applied to those areas of certain of said tabswhich extend beyond and substantially outside of a line defining thetopedge of the adjacent side wall panel,

said tabs being foldable over the end wall from I which they extend whenthe box is assembled.

5. A paperboard blank adapted to form a collapsible box including, abottom wall panel, a pair of opposite side wall panels and an end wallpanel hinged to said bottom wall panel, a. corner portion connectingeach of the adjacent ends of said side and end wall panels, a score lineextending diagonally across each of said corner portions to form abellows fold and dividing said corner portions into hinged sections oneof which is hingedly connected to the side wall panel and the othersection being hingedly connected to the end wall panel, a tab extendinglaterally from each section hinged to the end wall panel, said tabsextending in opposite directions laterally beyond and outside the outerside edge of the adjacent side wall panel, and adhesive applied to theinside face of that portion of the tab which extends beyond the outeredge of said side wall panel.

6. A paperboard blank for forming collapsible boxes including, a bottomwall panel, opposite side wall panels and opposite end wall panelshinged to said bottom wall panel, corner portions hinged to andconnectingtheadjacent ends of said side and end wall panels, a scoreline extending diagonally across each of said corner portions to form abellows fold and dividing said corner portions into hinged sections withone section connected to a side wall panel and the other sectionconnected to the adjacent end wall panel, tabs extending laterally fromthose corner sections which are hinged to the end wall panels with thetabs connected to the same end wall panel extending in oppositedirections and in general alignment, each of said tabs having a portionextending laterally beyond the top edge of the adjacent side wall paneland at a distance from the adjacent edge of the bottom panel equal tomore than half the width of the bottom wall panel, certain of said tabshaving adhesive means on the inside face thereof for securing the sameto the corresponding tab which extends from the section connected to thesame end wall panel in fixed overlap relationship when the box is foldedin collapsed position.

WILLIAM A. RINGLER.

